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Instructional Assistant, Program Aide/Assistant, Special Needs Educational Assistant, Teacher Aide, Teacher Aide
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Interest in assisting special-needs students such as those with mental and physical disabilities with mobility, communication and personal hygiene
Interest in copying information to work under direct supervision of classroom teachers and other professionals such as special education instructors, psychologists and speech-language pathologists; in assisting with classroom inventory; in using techniques such as sign language, Bliss symbols or Braille; in monitoring and reporting to classroom teacher on student progress; and in monitoring students during recess and noon hour
Interest in handling techniques of behaviour modification, personal development and other therapeutic programs; in preparing classroom displays and bulletin boards; in assisting in the preparation of learning materials and environment; and in accompanying and supervising students during activities in school gymnasiums, laboratories, libraries and resource centres, and on field trips
To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.
A Quick Guide
You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.
The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.
The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.
Educational assistants work for early intervention programs, schools, summer camps, child care centres and other learning organizations. They support students, teachers and other professionals. In a school setting, they may:
Duties vary from one position to another but, in general, they:
Educational assistants work indoors except when supervising students outdoors or on field trips. They may need to lift items weighing up to 10 kilograms. Sometimes, heavier lifting may be required (for example, to help students move in and out of wheelchairs).
Those who work in school systems usually have the same holidays as teachers. However, most work on a contract basis and are not paid during the summer months. Some school districts pay over the 12-month period and provide benefits for those in permanent positions. Work may include after-school hours to attend staff or committee meetings.
Private-sector schools may employ educational assistants for the full calendar year.
Educational assistants need:
They should enjoy:
Creativity is essential as educational assistants may need to search for and use strategies that match a student's interests and learning styles.
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 18 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Nov 29, 2021 and May 23, 2022.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Reliability | 16 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 16 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 15 |
| Personal Suitability: Dependability | 15 |
| Help students individually or in small groups with assignments and reinforce learning and retention concepts under the supervision of classroom teacher | 14 |
| Assist students with integration into the classroom and school setting | 13 |
| Experience with Special Needs Children: Children with behavioural issues | 13 |
| Experience with Special Needs Children: Children with learning disabilities | 13 |
| Work Experience with Special Needs Students: Children with an intellectual disability | 13 |
| Work Experience with Special Needs Students: Assistance with communication | 13 |
Employers generally prefer to hire educational assistants who have a high school diploma and related post-secondary education. A first aid certificate, criminal record check and child intervention record check also may be required. Related experience is an asset.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
To expand or narrow your search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.
Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Educational assistants may work full time or part time in:
Advancement requires further education.
Educational assistants are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4413: Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants. In Alberta, 98% of people employed in this classification work in the Educational Services [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
In Alberta, the 4413: Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants occupational group is expected to have an average annual growth of 1.9% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 290 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.
Note
NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.
Source: Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Salaries for educational assistant positions vary widely throughout the province.
In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.
Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.
All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.
To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.
Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.
High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $23.62 | $19.04 | $18.67 |
| Overall | $15.50 | $29.54 | $22.40 | $22.50 |
| Top | $16.00 | $30.96 | $24.75 | $24.32 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Pay brackets for hourly wages
| Educational Services | $27,609 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $27,495 |
| Health Care & Social Assistance | $20,504 |
Alberta Teachers' Association (ATA) website: www.teachers.ab.ca
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2021. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.